Everything Sparkles

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Everything Sparkles

Postby Mickal Redwater » Wed Nov 08, 2006 1:41 am

Hey! first post in Writers Corner, but Venus told me i should post because ive been wanting to... so here is something i wrote last year about this time.. after my girlfriend of 3 years broke up with me (we've since gotten back together and everything is much much better)... and i had a little mental breakdown and some other issues... so i put my pain and confusion into words.

let me know what you think! its an existential play. (though never really meant to be acted out)




Everything Sparkles

A play by Michael Pagano



It’s the present, the past, and the future, confused, and superimposed with each other. Its chaos, eventually


Characters:

Raine
Doran
Santiago
Dawn
Ashley-Anne
Bella
Stan

Act I

Under a dim fluorescent light, a man lays uncovered in bed, sweating, with his eyes closed.


Raine: Will it ever go away?
Doran: What?
R: This longing, this fear, these thoughts…
D: Maybe. If you let them.
R: You make it sound so simple. Like deleting someone from a cellphone can delete them from my memory.
D: You have to learn to forget.
R: You want me to believe that the world isn’t round?
D: Who says it is?
R: Everyone! We’ve proved it long ago.
D: Whose proved it? What evidence do you have?
R: Many geniuses have proved it. We have pictures from space. We have shadows! HELL! People have gone around it for Christ’s sake.
D: Now why do you have to say that? I know you don’t believe it.
R: Sorry, you know how I can get when you frustrate me.
D: [agitated] When I frustrate you!?
R: I guess you’re right. I’d much rather have you. But what does all this garbage about whether or not the world is round have to do with anything.
D: I didn’t bring it up, you did.
R: You, so what, the world’s probably round, but I don’t give a damn about it right now.
D: OH!? So now it’s a probably?
R: No! No! It’s definitely round. God damn it! Get to your point already.

The florescent light flickers. Raine swears he sees red in it, but is too petrified to admit it.

R: Did you see that?
Santiago: Of course I did you fucking moron.
R: God damn it! Just go away, please! I don’t need you right now.
S: Ignore all this shit about the world being round. Who cares! You’re god damn alone because you’re too god damn selfish to allow yourself to be happy.
R: [Loud and desperate] Go away, go away, go away!

Raine sits up and put both his hands to his ears, with his eyes still closed. The light flickers again

D: Just ignore him. Love takes time. Right now the world may be flat, but you’ll realize…
S: [interupting] Don’t believe any of this universe, fate, true love bullshit that this stupid good-for-nothing moron has to say. When has he ever been right?
R: Go away, Go away, Go away.

A shadow of darkness appears on the wall, creeping towards Raine’s silhouette projected on the cold concrete.

S: I’ve always been right. I told you she’d leave you like the rest, and she did. So will this one, and the next, and the next…
R: [screaming] God damn it. Go away! I don’t care about any of the others, not like her.

The light burns out.

S: Then why did you betray her?
R:[starts sobbing, his vigorous yell now a tame whimper in the dark] Go away. go away, go away…

The phone rings, the light comes back on, and it’s just Raine sitting in his barren room, eyes open, slightly wet from tears.

R: Where is that god damn thing.

The phone rings again, and Raine finally finds it.

R: Hello?
Bella: Hey Raine, its Bella. I’m just calling to see how you’re doing. I got all your messages.
R: I’m fine I guess, given the circumstances.
D: No! That’s not true. You’re a wreck and you need help.
B: That’s good. Did you just want to talk to her?
S: Yea, like that’d make you feel better about ruining your life.
R: Of Course! I always do. I love her.
B: I don’t know if she believes you anymore, or if I can either.
R: I know I do a lot of stupid things, but I can’t stand being without her.
B: Then why all these other girls? Why Ashley? Why Lauren? Why Nicole? I don’t get it Raine! Why can’t you wait for her?
R: Because I’m getting worse. Every day without her is worse. I can’t live this life alone.
S: You can’t live this life, period.
D: Don’t listen to him! Tell her the truth.
R: I’m nothing without her. I thought I could get better… I thought… I thought wanting her, loving her like I do, so much its unbearable [he starts to cry]. I thought that would give me enough motivation to get better, to be normal, to be in a place that I could make her happy again. I still want to believe I can, but I feel her slipping away, ever so slowly she’s fading from my memory, and I know she can’t love me anymore. How could she! I’m just some bastard who keeps lying to everyone, including myself. I’ve hurt her, so much that it hurts me too. This guilt, this overwhelming guilt…
S: It’s not worth it is it? None of this is fucking worth it…
B: Stop that Raine. Stop thinking like that.
S: [mimicking] Yes Raine. Stop thinking she’ll ever love you again. It’s over. It’s all over. You’ve fucked it up. You can either live with it or not. I suggest the latter.
B: She still loves you Raine…
S: That’s a lie.
B: She’s just confused. Why can’t you just wait for her.
R: Is that why she dated Stan? To get back at me ‘cause I couldn’t wait?
B: I don’t know why she did it. It was a mistake and she’s not too happy with it.
R: Everything I’ve ever done has been a mistake. Everything except the day I asked her out.
B: That’s not true.
S: [still mimicking]Yea! Even that was stupid. A waste if you ask me. You should have ended it before that.
R: It is to me. My whole life seems like a lie without her. I don’t understand how love can be so wonderful and strong, yet so destructive at the same time.
S: Destruction. I like that word.
D: Come now, don’t…
S: Shut up! You have no control anymore.
B: Call her. Try to work this out.
R: How can two people love each other so much, yet whatever cruel world this is won’t let us be together.
B: Raine…[he hangs up the phone.]
D: It’s only not letting you be together now.
S: What a load of bull. This fucking world won’t let you be together ever. Forget her, forget yourself, forget this world.
R: Maybe…

He falls asleep

Act II
It’s a beautiful fall day. The sun is shining, the leaves portray the full spectrum of colors, including purple and blue coming from nearby Hydrangea flowers. Raine is wearing a hoodie, but it’s obvious he’s ready to take it off. He walks with a beautiful girl, obviously his new fling. They pass by a huge oak tree.

Ashley-Anne: Oh! Lets go play on the tree. It’ll be so much fun.
Raine: Yea, that does sound fun. I always have so much fun with you.
AA: [kisses him on the cheek] Awww, thanks baby.
R:[climbing tree] This is so much fun, you should come up.
AA: [Hiding her hands behind he back] Why don’t you come down here?
R: [With a devilish grin] Sure.

Raine jumps down from the tree, immediately grabs a pile of leaves, blocks Ashley-Anne’s leaf attack and stuffs his pile of leaves down her cleavage.

AA: Hey!
R: [laughing hysterically] We should take a picture.
AA: Yea and add it to all the others
R: You’re eyes look so beautiful against these leaves.
S: But they aren’t hers.
D: Can’t you let him have a break.
AA: [blushing] Awwww. Thanks sweetheart.
S: Sweetheart! Bah! You think anyone can put up with your crap.

Ashley-Anne kisses Raine, a passionate kiss this time, one that lasts for almost a minute.

AA: Let me go show you the rest of the romantic spots.
R: Ok
S: What a moron he is.
D: He’s confused, let him be.

Later that night. In a concert hall, a small one, with gothic architecture and chandeliers. There are around a dozen or so people sitting and listening to a band. Raine stands in the back.

D: Hey did you see that?
R: [very low whisper] See what?
D: That thing that just flew by. It’s, like, half bird, half angel.

Raine’s eyes seem to follow something, but there isn’t anything there. He has a faint smile on his face.

R:[still a low whisper] It’s beautiful.

The music gets louder in the background.

S: I don’t see that stupid thing, all I see is what’s on the chandeliers.

The stage lights blink and the music stops. For a second, the image of corpses hanging from the chandeliers blinks, and everything is red. Raine blinks, the music starts again and the lights return to normal.

R: I didn’t just see that did I?

Someone looks at him oddly, then goes back to listening to the band.

S: Of course you did.
D: No. It was just your imagination.
S: You’re schizophrenic, face it. You’re disturbed, like me.
D: Ignore him.
R: [still shocked] Did I just see that?

Enter Ashley-Anne

AA: Are you ok baby?
R: No, I got to leave.
S: [laughs hysterically]
AA: What’s wrong sweetie?
R: I need to go.
S: [still laughing]
D:[yelling] IGNORE HIM!
R: [louder and more frantic] I need to leave here.
AA: Ok lets go.

They walk outsider. It’s chilly, and a few girls are outside smoking cigarrettes. Raine coughs.

AA: [worried] What happened?
R: I’m crazy.
S: Damn right
AA: No you aren’t, baby.
R: Yes. Yes I am.
S: [excitedly] Now you got the right idea!
AA: Don’t think like that! What happened?
R: [whisper] I don’t want to say.
AA: [really worried and near tears] Please tell me.
R: This is like what you’d hear on a biography of a serial killer.
AA: What happened?
R: I saw things, disturbing things. Dead bodies, blood, in my head, in reality. I don’t know.
AA: [crying, she hugs him] Oh Raine. I’m worried about you.
R: So am I.
AA: I need to go back in.
R: Ok. I’m going to stay here for now.

He watches her walk inside.

S: Watch her go now. She’s leaving forever.
R: No. You’re wrong.
S: Just like everyone else. Just like Dawn. Just like everyone will from now on.
R: No!
S: You’re fucking crazy. Just admit it.
R: [in tears, whisper] no
S: [hysterical laugh]

Act III

Raine is walking along a country road, with a bookbag on. Its daytime in the winter.

R: Everything sparkles today.
S: What bullshit are you spewing.
R: Everything is sparkling!
S: You’re stupid. It’s all dull. What sparkles?
R: The sky. The water. Even the streets.
D: You’re telling me that trash on the street sparkles?
R: You almost made me forget the world was round. Is this any less outrageous?
S: Yea. ‘Cause it’s not true.
D: We just aren’t used to you looking positively.
R: Well I know what to do now. I know exactly what I’m going to do, and if it fails, I can give up.
S: It’s a stupid idea.
D: It’s a stupid idea.
R: I’m going to do this, no matter how drastic. At least then I will know that I’ve tried.
D: It’s a stupid idea.
S: You’re so stupid.
R: If she says no after this, I can give up.
D: Do you even know where it is?
R: I don’t know the exact address.
S: It’s a stupid idea.
R: I’ll call Bella. She’ll tell me where it is.
D: She’ll tell you not to go.
S: It’s a stupid idea.
R: I’ll call when I’m there. Then she can’t convince me otherwise.
S: It’s a fucking stupid idea.
R: Too late. I’m doing it.
S: Ok. Your loss.

Stage goes dark, then re-lights, this time in front of a college. Raine is sweating, still bundled up, but jacket unzipped. He takes a swig of water and then grabs his phone.

R:[dialing on his phone] Lets hope she picks up,
S: Otherwise you’re screwed.
Bella: Hello?
R:[out of breath] Bella… I need your help.
B: What’s wrong, Raine?
R: What’s Dawn’s address.
B: Why do you need it.
R: I’m here, now, in her town, please tell me how to get there.
B: What!? How did you get there?
R: I walked. Please, I need to get there.
B: Raine… why? She’s not going to take you back now.
R: If she loves me, she will. I would have walked 30 more miles if I had to.
S: Told you it was a stupid idea.
R: Please Bella. You can’t stop me now. I’ll find it, somehow.
B: Oh Raine, please don’t hurt yourself like this.
S: Yell that bitch to tell you now!
R: [slightly angered] Please! Tell me.
B: Ok, ok. It’s 135 5th street.
R: Thanks [click]
S: Now what? Go get yourself hurt?
R: I must.

The stage goes dark, then lights come up. Now Raine is outside a little house. He is about to knock.

R: I must do this.
D: You can.

He knocks.

Dawn: [from inside] One second. I’ll be right there.

R: Her voice is so sweet. What will I do?
S: I know…
D: Shut up.

Dawn opens the door

Dawn: [surprised] … Raine…
R: Dawn…
Dawn: Why are you here?
R: I love you.
Dawn: How did you get here.
R: I walked.
Dawn: Raine! You must be freezing. Come in.
R: [looks inside, sees Stan] No, I think I’ll stay here.
Dawn: [slightly angry] What did you expect me to do? Wait while you slept with all those floozies. I loved you Raine…
R: And I still love you.
Stan: Who is it sweetie?
R: [flinches]: Go back to him. I guess I got my answer.
Dawn: Wait.
R: What?
S: Just run you moron.
Dawn: I still love you.
R: But you don’t believe our love will conquer.
Dawn: I’m not sure. I just know some part of me will always love you.
R: All of me will always love you. I can’t believe you love me, when you say you don’t believe in love.
Dawn: Raine…
R: Forget it. I can’t do it anymore. I’ve given my life to love, and you don’t even believe in it. How can I believe you love me when you don’t even believe our love can conquer.
Dawn: I just don’t know…
R: Let me know when you do. Maybe I’ll still be waiting. It’s hard to love someone who doesn’t believe in love.
Dawn: Raine…
R: Goodbye Dawn. Maybe we’ll be together again, sometime, somehow.
Dawn: Please, no….
R: I can’t and you can’t. I’ll love you for a long time. We’ll see if you can remember.
Dawn: Raine.
S: [mockingly] Raine…

Raine walks away. Lights fade. Back to the street before.

R; Well, tell me what I do now.
D: [depressingly] I don’t know.
S: I do.
R: I don’t care what you think.
S: I think it’s time you lay it down. Time you give up this whole joke you call love. This force that is supposed to conquer all. Where did it get Romeo and Juliet? Tristan and Isolde? Thisbe and Pyramus? Exactly where it’s going to get you. Dead. Inside or out.
R: I can’t believe that.

It starts to rain.

D: The irony.
R: It’s my life.
S: Well, I don’t see you making any effort to live it.
R: Maybe if the sun would come out…
D: Maybe you need to make it.
R: But it will conquer.
D: It will.
S: Never.
R: I must believe.
D: It will.
S: [silence]
Lancelot: Would it not be a comfort, just for a time, to believe that we create our own Heavens, and our own Hells?
FEL forever
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Mickal Redwater
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Postby Thenician » Wed Nov 08, 2006 3:25 pm

*whistles*

Very well done. I thoroughly enjoyed that.
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Postby Mickal Redwater » Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:13 am

Just for anyone whose wondering ;) (not sure if many people even read this) but i based this loosly on my own life... Dawn is my current G/F (we went out for 3 years.. broke up... i went out with someone who i called Ashley-Anne in the play... i went crazt without 'Dawn' walked to her house... (30 miles) and did all that... then we ended up getting back together 8 months later, and we've been going back out for 8 months now!

i hope people liked it! im trying to write something else ;P but its kinda weird! but maybe it'll be good. I thought this was the best thing ive ever written!
Lancelot: Would it not be a comfort, just for a time, to believe that we create our own Heavens, and our own Hells?
FEL forever
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Postby MoP » Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:39 am

Goddammit Mickal, you're good. Get your ass to the Covenant forum and make threads there. Thousands and thousands of threads :D


Really, I like it very much.
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Postby Mykayla » Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:04 pm

Very interesting. *smiles* I like it.
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